New Delhi: India will merge the two visa facilitation cards that are issued to people of Indian origin and soon register non-resident Indians on the electoral rolls to help them vote in elections, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday.
"We recently reviewed the Overseas Citizenship of India Card and Person of Indian Origin Card. We have decided to merge them into one," the prime minister told the ninth edition of India's annual event to connect with its 25-million-strong diaspora in 130 nations.
Both these cards are issued to people who are of Indian origin but not its citizens. But for some subtle differences on matters such as fee and processing time, there is little difference between them. The diaspora, accordingly, wanted them to be merged.
Amendments
The prime minister also said necessary amendments had been made to extend voting rights to non-residents to enable them exercise their franchise. "New legal provision will give them legitimate right to participate in Indian electoral process," he said.
"I am sure they will bring a breath of fresh air to Indian polity."
Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi on Saturday said the government was working on the difficulties in physical verification of non-resident Indians living in the Gulf countries that were hampering their participation in elections in India.
"There were difficulties of physical verification of [NRIs] living in Gulf countries," Ravi told reporters on the sidelines of the event named Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (NRI day). He said the government was hopeful that the "Election Commission will take a positive decision in the matter".
Ravi said he had held two-three ministerial level discussions with the poll panel and "the difficulties were explained".
Solution soon
"The rules [regarding it] are to be made by the Law Ministry," he said, adding: "You can expect a solution soon."
Earlier, the prime minister addressed the event that was attended by some 1,500 delegates from 51 countries. New Zealand Governor-General Anand Satyanand was the chief guest.
Singh said the past year was a busy one for India, with leaders of all nations that are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — China, France, Russia, Britain and the US, visiting New Delhi.
"India's rise as an emerging nation is a positive indication for international relations," he said, adding: "Our unique experience of tackling development, challenges, building consensus among different sections has been remarkable. We will seek to promote what is good for India and good for the world."
The prime minister said during his visits to various countries in the past years, he was particularly pleased when its leaders lauded the role played by the Indian community in their land of domicile. "The richness of India's classical tradition and the contemporary Indian culture is making waves around the world."
"We recently reviewed the Overseas Citizenship of India Card and Person of Indian Origin Card. We have decided to merge them into one," the prime minister told the ninth edition of India's annual event to connect with its 25-million-strong diaspora in 130 nations.
Both these cards are issued to people who are of Indian origin but not its citizens. But for some subtle differences on matters such as fee and processing time, there is little difference between them. The diaspora, accordingly, wanted them to be merged.
Amendments
The prime minister also said necessary amendments had been made to extend voting rights to non-residents to enable them exercise their franchise. "New legal provision will give them legitimate right to participate in Indian electoral process," he said.
"I am sure they will bring a breath of fresh air to Indian polity."
Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi on Saturday said the government was working on the difficulties in physical verification of non-resident Indians living in the Gulf countries that were hampering their participation in elections in India.
"There were difficulties of physical verification of [NRIs] living in Gulf countries," Ravi told reporters on the sidelines of the event named Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (NRI day). He said the government was hopeful that the "Election Commission will take a positive decision in the matter".
Ravi said he had held two-three ministerial level discussions with the poll panel and "the difficulties were explained".
Solution soon
"The rules [regarding it] are to be made by the Law Ministry," he said, adding: "You can expect a solution soon."
Earlier, the prime minister addressed the event that was attended by some 1,500 delegates from 51 countries. New Zealand Governor-General Anand Satyanand was the chief guest.
Singh said the past year was a busy one for India, with leaders of all nations that are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — China, France, Russia, Britain and the US, visiting New Delhi.
"India's rise as an emerging nation is a positive indication for international relations," he said, adding: "Our unique experience of tackling development, challenges, building consensus among different sections has been remarkable. We will seek to promote what is good for India and good for the world."
The prime minister said during his visits to various countries in the past years, he was particularly pleased when its leaders lauded the role played by the Indian community in their land of domicile. "The richness of India's classical tradition and the contemporary Indian culture is making waves around the world."
